Ellis Springs Series Series by C.P. Stringham, Bobbie Jo Strope, Betty Mingos, Jeannie Inman

“Welcome to the community of Ellis Springs, the seat of Dewey County, Pennsylvania; population 5,108. Ellis Springs: Laced with cool mountain springs.” Most people are able to recall, in minute detail, where they were and what they were doing when life handed them an Aha! moment. Startling revelations have a way of staying with a person. For Dewey County librarian Natalie Andrews, her most recent and pivotal Aha! moment occurred on a seemingly normal Friday afternoon in late September... more“Welcome to the community of Ellis Springs, the seat of Dewey County, Pennsylvania; population 5,108. Ellis Springs: Laced with cool mountain springs.” Most people are able to recall, in minute detail, where they were and what they were doing when life handed them an Aha! moment. Startling revelations have a way of staying with a person. For Dewey County librarian Natalie Andrews, her most recent and pivotal Aha! moment occurred on a seemingly normal Friday afternoon in late September. While she couldn’t pinpoint a specific issue within her fourteen-year marriage, she simply knew something was amiss. Natalie loved her satisfying job. Her husband, Clark, was co-owner of a successful insurance agency. Financial security was not an issue. They owned a colonial-style house decorated with gorgeous antiques and an inviting yard landscaped for maximum curb appeal. While Clark had a knack for home improvement projects, Natalie thrived and wowed as a homemaker. As a team, they complimented each other nicely. Some would say their home life, by all outward appearances, was perfect. But appearances can be deceiving. After seven long years of fertility issues, Natalie chose to throw away her basal thermometer, ovulation predictor kits, and fertility drugs. The letdown and heartache, as each unsuccessful month passed by, left her feeling like an utter failure. While Clark seemed to take events in stride, Natalie wasn’t as fortunate. Waking up, on the other side of her nearly two-year-long depression, has led Natalie to her present-day preoccupation over what was off-kilter with her marriage. Her determination brings about unexpected answers. Those answers, in turn, spawn even more troubling questions. Clichéd or not, she stands firmly beside the adage: where there is smoke, there is fire. Refusing to sit back as their relationship unravels, Natalie and Clark begin couples counseling with their priest, the Reverend Stephanie Talbot. Will her help and guidance be enough to save their relationship? Marriages dissolved at an alarming rate in modern society. Natalie always considered hers immune to such a fate, however, as clarity returns and the truth comes out, Natalie realizes her marriage could end LIKE ALL THE REST—but not without a fight. less

Even the strongest person needs time to heal; A MOMENT’S REST. Ask any resident from the small Pennsylvania town of Ellis Springs to describe the happy-go-lucky rector of St. Regis’ Episcopal Church and you may be surprised by some of the answers you would receive. They would range from shameless chocoholic, motorcycle momma, compassionate soul, avid runner, faithful Christian, to devoted wife. Stephanie Talbot was all of those and so much more. Reverend, wife, mother, and friend... moreEven the strongest person needs time to heal; A MOMENT’S REST. Ask any resident from the small Pennsylvania town of Ellis Springs to describe the happy-go-lucky rector of St. Regis’ Episcopal Church and you may be surprised by some of the answers you would receive. They would range from shameless chocoholic, motorcycle momma, compassionate soul, avid runner, faithful Christian, to devoted wife. Stephanie Talbot was all of those and so much more. Reverend, wife, mother, and friend. Days before the New Year arrives, her world is tragically changed. Stephanie finds herself widowed at the age of thirty-six when her husband, David, is killed in an automobile accident. His death leaves her alone to raise their three year-old son—all while she’s expecting their second child. David’s death shakes her to her very foundation and makes her doubt her faith by questioning God’s plan. In a role-reversal, she is on the receiving end of good intentions and help from her congregation, family, and friends. Rebuilding her wavering faith comes easy to her. However, the day to day challenges of single parenthood prove much harder to deal with while she tries to find the right balance between her priest duties and motherhood. Life adjustments need to be made. At one point, Stephanie’s mother even suggests she relocate to her hometown and closer to family so that they can help her through those adjustments. Stephanie clears her first hurdle when she chooses to stay in Ellis Springs. Her friend, Natalie Andrews, reminds the priest that she has plenty of “family” in their tight-knit community to see her through the transition. Returning to work at St. Regis’ proves to be all the therapy she needs. She immediately slips back into the routine of spiritual leader, counselor, and mom. In her counseling role, an old acquaintance turns up like a bad penny. Stephanie still has her doubts where Jeremy Brewster is concerned; however, she agrees to play mediator when Clark wants to mend fences with his oldest friend. But does Jeremy Brewster have redeeming qualities worthy of such efforts? Months pass, and Stephanie finds herself rushing to a prenatal appointment, when the elevator she boards quits between floors and she’s forced to spend time with the polished and arrogant Dr. Nathaniel Felix. The ordeal inside the elevator stretches into an eternity as the doctor succinctly conveys to her his thoughts on religion, God, and clergy members counseling parishioners. For the first time in her life, she develops a deep-seated loathing for a fellow human being. After their initial meeting, Stephanie finds herself crossing paths with the insufferable psychiatrist. Each experience tests her good nature. In the midst of hating him, she finds herself in need of his therapeutic services for one of her at-risk teen parishioners. Allowing him into her “network of specialists” not only forces her to have professional contact with him, but also provides Dr. Felix with ample opportunity to analyze Stephanie—a game that intrigues him while leaving the reverend feeling exposed and weak. She makes a conscious effort to avoid his scrutiny at all costs. Spring arrives and, with it, the new baby. The event is bittersweet for Stephanie as she is caught between joy and sorrow, her happiness marred by David’s absence. The resilient priest moves forward yet again as she finds harmony in her life. Knowing that she was blessed with something many people never get to experience, being married to the love of her life, Stephanie resolves to focus on her family and her church. She rationalizes that her unplanned marital status will allow her to be a better mother and priest—or so she thinks. Her Boss may have other plans. less

Sometimes, the past doesn’t always…REST IN PEACE. Grace Werner, Dewey County’s Victim/Witness Advocate, is a force to be reckoned with and then some. Her reputation as a compassionate warrior within the criminal justice system proceeds her throughout the small rural community she calls home... moreSometimes, the past doesn’t always…REST IN PEACE. Grace Werner, Dewey County’s Victim/Witness Advocate, is a force to be reckoned with and then some. Her reputation as a compassionate warrior within the criminal justice system proceeds her throughout the small rural community she calls home. While working closely with law enforcement officers, prosecutorial personnel, and crisis prevention counselors, Grace has built an impenetrable wall of safety, not only around her clients, but also around her teen son, Jason. Or so she hopes. No one can predict, with one-hundred-percent certainty, if the demons of their past will resurface. Relocating to Ellis Springs had occurred abruptly for the Syracuse, New York native. The new venue and identities for her and Jason provided the best solution to escape her violent and cruel ex-husband . For ten years, Grace kept her guard up, never allowing others into her private life. Her focus remained on her son and her clients. After all, looking out for those in her care was her greatest skill. She was Grace the Protector. Natalie Andrews and The Reverend Stephanie Talbot reach out to welcome Grace into their comforting circle. Grace surrenders her guard and permits true friendships to develop. Despite Grace’s long-standing beliefs about privacy and her fear of being found, she comes to trust them with her secret. Perhaps the biggest change of all happens when Jeremy Brewster enters the picture. Everything about the outdoorsy production engineer appeals to her. His calm demeanor, gentleness, and easy-to-please attitude melt the ice that has encased her heart since running away from her old life. At 40 years old, Grace begins to learn what true contentment and love feel like. Just as Grace begins to focus more on her personal life, a client’s abusive husband seeks revenge against Grace for interfering in his marriage. For the first time ever, the fortress of security within the Dewey County Courthouse turns into a virtual prison as those, who care the most for her, close ranks and implement safety protocols to protect her. Grace feels the security measures are unnecessary and extreme, particularly as they inhibit her newfound personal life. However, as the threat escalates, Grace confronts nightmares she had never imagined. Will the presence of a new demon force her to run away again or will she stand her ground to protect those she loves? Find out what happens next in the latest installment of the Ellis Springs Series. Will Grace Werner REST IN PEACE? less